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Calls for 'Lord Tonypandy' pub to be renamed over 'scandalous' politician's actions

The Lord Tonypandy Carvey in the Rhondda. Credit: google

A popular pub and restaurant in the Rhondda Valley should have its named changed says the leader of Plaid Cymru.

Party leader Leanne Wood has set-up a petition demanding The Lord Tonypandy Carvery lose its name.

Ms Wood claims that George Thomas, a Labour MP who retired in 1983 and became Lord Tonypandy, played a "scandalous" part in the aftermath of the Aberfan disaster.

In a petition she says as Secretary of State for Wales he used the disaster appeal fund money to clean up the Aberfan tips.

This was an unforgivable and cruel act against the people and community of Aberfan.

Fifty years may have passed but feelings still run strong. I no longer want the Rhondda to be associated with the name of Lord Tonypandy.

– Leanne Wood, Plaid Cymru leader

The Lord Tonypandy is owned by Crown Carveries and advertises itself as as place for the whole family to enjoy its "traditional roast dinners and lunches exactly how you like them, any day of the week.

"With every plateful offering cracking value, it's no wonder locals in and around Porth, Tonyrefail and Pentre can't get enough."

George Thomas was a Cardiff MP who became Lord Tonypandy. Credit: PA

George Thomas was born in Port Talbot and became a Labour MP for Cardiff and later Secretary of State for Wales.

He was one of the first people on the scene of the Aberfan disaster in 1966 and was later involved in the controversial decision to use some of the money from Aberfan Charity Fund to clear the waste tips from around the village.